Tag: PUBG

  • PlayerUnknown’s first major game since PUBG is now free, but it’s not good news

    PlayerUnknown’s first major game since PUBG is now free, but it’s not good news

    Key Takeaway

    – PlayerUnknown’s new game, *Prologue: Go Wayback*, is ending development due to funding issues.
    – The studio is conducting significant layoffs as a result.
    – The game will exit Early Access with one final update, then become free permanently.
    – Refunds are being offered to players who already purchased the game.
    – Work on the underlying Melba technology will continue with a smaller team, and future development on *Prologue* remains a possibility.

    Prologue: Go Wayback Development Ends as Layoffs Hit PlayerUnknown Productions

    Brendan Greene, widely known as PlayerUnknown, had spent years developing his first major title since PUBG, with ambitious plans in place for this project. Unfortunatly the game, called Prologue: Go Wayback, has reached its end and the studio seems to be dealing with significant layoffs. Through a post on Steam, PlayerUnknown Productions anounced that they will be halting further development on Prologue: Go Wayback, which first entered early access in November last year and remains in that state today, but according to new information, the studio will bring it out of early access with a final update.

    Final Update and Free Access for All Players

    This last update will include some new items, paths and trails for players to explore, offering a bit more content before the game concludes its active development cycle. In addition, the studio will make Prologue: Go Wayback free for everyone, and they are also looking into providing refunds for those who have allready purchased the game through Steam and the Epic Games Store, which is a generous move considering the situation.

    Funding Issues and Team Downsizing

    While the specifics of the layoffs remain somewhat unclear, Greene shared on X that the root cause is a funding issue, and he has reached the limit of how far he can continue to fund the game in its current form, which is a sad reality for many indie projects. Like the first tech demo called Preface, Prologue: Go Wayback was suposed to be a showcase for the Melba technology the studio has been working on since its begining, and that technical work will continue but with a much smaller team, allowing them to focus on the underlying engine.

    Greene Hopes for Future Restart

    That said, Greene is still open to the possibility of development restarting on Prologue: Go Wayback at some point in the future, meaning the game might not be totaly dead, as he mentioned a desire to revisit it when conditions improve, though no timeline or specific plans have been given for such a revival, so fans should not hold their breath to much.

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  • PUBG Publisher Targets Anti-AI Workers After $680M Q3 Profit

    PUBG Publisher Targets Anti-AI Workers After $680M Q3 Profit

    Key Takeaways

    1. Krafton aims to become an AI-first company, prioritizing AI for problem-solving and productivity.
    2. The company has launched a voluntary resignation program to allow employees to choose new paths amid AI transformation.
    3. The initiative seeks to reduce workforce size while promoting efficiency through AI systems.
    4. Severance packages are offered based on the length of employment for those who participate in the resignation program.
    5. Krafton reported strong financial performance with third-quarter earnings exceeding 1 trillion won, but is also facing a lawsuit related to Subnautica.

    Krafton has recently made an announcement about a significant shift in its strategy, aiming to become an AI-first company. The publisher known for popular games like PUBG and Subnautica stated its intention to “prioritize AI as a central and primary means of problem-solving,” while also “fostering change in individuals and organisations, increasing company-wide productivity.” This strategy is all about enhancing growth and corporate value. Following this announcement, Business Korea reported that Krafton has initiated a new voluntary resignation program to help employees “support members in proactively designing their growth direction and embarking on new challenges both inside and outside the company amid the era of AI transformation.”

    New Opportunities and Changes

    In a way, Krafton is providing a pathway for employees who may not wish to be a part of its AI-driven future, while also aiming to reduce its workforce and internal conflicts. The company seems to believe that encouraging some employees to leave will lead to greater efficiency, with the hope that their AI systems can effectively fill the gaps left by departing staff. To be fair, the company is offering severance packages to those who opt for the voluntary resignation program, which are determined by the length of their employment.

    Financial Performance and Legal Issues

    This voluntary resignation plan comes on the heels of Krafton achieving impressive profits this year, with third-quarter earnings surpassing 1 trillion won (approximately $680,295,600). Additionally, Krafton is currently facing a lawsuit against the founders and executives of Unknown Worlds, the company behind Subnautica. For more information about the lawsuit, you can check out our detailed coverage of the situation here.

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  • PlayerUnknown’s Prologue: Go Wayback! Free Playtest Now Live

    PlayerUnknown’s Prologue: Go Wayback! Free Playtest Now Live

    Key Takeaways

    1. PUBG creator Brendan Greene founded PlayerUnknown Productions and is developing a new hardcore survival game called Prologue: Go Wayback!.
    2. The closed beta playtest for Prologue: Go Wayback! runs from May 7 to May 14, and players can join via the official Discord to request a key.
    3. The game focuses on body temperature as a critical survival factor, linking it to players’ hunger and thirst levels.
    4. Unique survival mechanics require players to use a complex process to start fires, enhancing the game’s realism.
    5. Prologue: Go Wayback! is part of a larger project called Project Artemis, featuring an Earth-sized map and utilizing procedural generation and machine learning.

    One of the most beloved games today, PUBG, was made by Brendan Greene, who later established his own studio, PlayerUnknown Productions. Their initial project, titled Prologue: Go Wayback!, was revealed last year. This upcoming hardcore survival game places a strong focus on body temperature. Currently, the game is undergoing another playtest that is free for anyone who joins the official Discord and asks for a key.

    Playtest Details

    The closed beta playtest for Prologue: Go Wayback! commenced on May 7 and will continue until May 14. Those who want to experience this early version of the game can visit the official Discord and request a key through the #playtest-signup channel. PlayerUnknown Productions is providing keys for both Steam and Epic Games Store.

    Insights from the Creators

    In a recent conversation with the Epic Games Store, Greene along with Creative Director Scott Davidson discussed Prologue: Go Wayback! and how it sets the stage for a larger project. The game utilizes machine learning for creating landscapes and is set in a wilderness filled with forests. It emphasizes body temperature, which is linked to other survival factors. “When your hunger and thirst decrease, you start to lose your ability to control your temperature, meaning your temperature will drop quicker,” Davidson stated.

    Unique Survival Mechanics

    Unlike typical survival games where players can easily craft a campfire, Go Wayback! requires a more intricate process to start a fire. “You must begin with bits of paper and cardboard, ignite those with sticks on top. Once the sticks catch fire, add logs on top, and those logs will burn over time. You then keep adding a few logs to maintain the fire, which will provide heat and keeps the warmth inside structures,” Davidson elaborated.

    Prologue: Go Wayback! will contribute to the development of Project Artemis, a more grand project by PlayerUnknown Productions, which is rumored to have an Earth-sized map. Using what the team refers to as “Guided Generation,” both Go Wayback! and Project Artemis will incorporate a blend of procedural generation, machine learning, and handmade art.

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  • PUBG 2025 Roadmap: Unreal Engine 5, User Content, and Updates

    PUBG 2025 Roadmap: Unreal Engine 5, User Content, and Updates

    Key Takeaways

    1. PUBG is transitioning to Unreal Engine 5, currently in pre-production, with more details to be shared later this year.
    2. The 2025 roadmap includes updates on user-generated content, gameplay updates, new modes, and world enhancements.
    3. New gameplay elements, including improved player actions and a new roguelike mode called “Project Cyclops,” are planned.
    4. User-generated content (UGC) will enter alpha testing this year, allowing players to create custom worlds and rules.
    5. An optimized version of PUBG for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 is expected by late 2025, enhancing loading times and gameplay quality.

    PUBG is preparing to shift to Unreal Engine 5, and the developers have recently shared a roadmap indicating that the project is in the pre-production phase. More details about this transition will be revealed later this year. Last year, it was announced that PUBG would move from Unreal Engine 4 to UE5, but it appears the transition will take more time than anticipated. Additionally, the 2025 roadmap provides updates on user generated content (UGC) features, gameplay updates, new modes, and much more.

    Roadmap Video Highlights

    A video outlining the 2025 roadmap has been uploaded to the official PUBG Battlegrounds YouTube channel. This nearly 29-minute video covers various updates and features that the developers are currently focusing on, including the shift to UE5. It begins with information on “World updates,” which will introduce new ways for players to enjoy existing maps. This includes seasonal updates, special events, new atmospheres, and destructible terrain in Taego, Miramar, and Erangel.

    Exciting New Content

    New gameplay elements are also on the horizon, such as enhanced player actions, vehicles, items, and UI improvements. The developers are planning to introduce new modes while improving existing ones. They discussed a new roguelike mode named “Project Cyclops,” which is based on the PUBG framework, but no further details were provided about this new mode.

    User Generated Content

    As for User Generated Content (UGC), the developers announced that it will enter alpha testing this year. This feature will empower players to create their own worlds and rules for unique experiences. Players will be able to set various rules for different modes and design environments with the capability to place buildings and structures. Initially, this will be made available in Custom Match mode.

    Console Optimizations Coming Soon

    Console players have some great news too. By late 2025, an optimized version of PUBG for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 will be released, boasting better loading times and a higher overall gameplay quality.

    Towards the conclusion of the video, the developers spoke about the transition to UE5, explaining that they are establishing the groundwork for this change. Currently, the project is in the pre-production phase, with the primary objective being to improve graphic quality before moving on to new features. They anticipate sharing updates on the transition within this year. However, it remains uncertain if the full-scale implementation will occur in 2025 or be delayed until 2026, with the latter appearing more plausible.

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  • Krafton Partners with OpenAI to Transform the Future of Gaming

    Krafton Partners with OpenAI to Transform the Future of Gaming

    Krafton, the famous creator behind the world-wide hit “PUBG: Battlegrounds,” is venturing into thrilling new areas in gaming with assistance from OpenAI. During a recent meeting in Seoul with OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, Krafton’s CEO, Kim Chang-han, talked about possible partnerships that could transform the gaming landscape.

    Enhancing NPC Intelligence

    The main topic of their talks was to use OpenAI’s advanced large language models (LLMs) for creating smart AI characters. These “virtual cooperative characters” (CPCs) aim to surpass the usual non-playable characters (NPCs) by having more natural and meaningful dialogues with players, which should enhance the overall gaming experience.

    Krafton’s AI Innovations

    This partnership is in line with Krafton’s recent breakthroughs in AI-focused gaming. Earlier in the year at CES 2025, they presented their own CPC technology developed along with Nvidia. This advancement is a major step forward that allows players to interact with AI characters in a more lively and realistic manner.

    Krafton intends to weave this sophisticated AI tech into both their existing and future gaming titles. The iconic “PUBG: Battlegrounds,” which made Krafton a household name globally, is set to gain from this collaboration, promising players more exciting and unpredictable gameplay. Furthermore, the upcoming life simulation game “inZOI,” slated for release later this year, will also feature these advanced AI capabilities, aiming to change the game genre.

    OpenAI’s Broader Ambitions

    Outside the gaming sphere, OpenAI is branching into hardware, robotics, AI chips, and quantum computing. Their recent trademark registrations indicate a keen interest in AI-powered consumer gadgets, such as smartwatches, AR/VR headsets, headphones, and humanoid robots that can learn new things.

    Additionally, OpenAI is teaming up with Broadcom and TSMC to create custom AI chips, with plans to launch them by 2026. Although these initiatives are still at a nascent stage, OpenAI is actively collaborating with partners to introduce AI-driven innovations to the market.

    This collaboration between Krafton and OpenAI signifies a pivotal move towards the future of gaming, where AI will increasingly shape immersive, interactive, and tailored experiences for gamers around the globe.

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